According to the Dallas County District Attorney’s office, in 2011, there were 9,344 requests for Protective Orders, 1,173 victims screened for Protective Orders, 1,259 qualified applicants, 713 Protective Orders filed, and 713 new Protective Orders granted.

The 2011 Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance Point-in-Time Homeless Count found 5,783 people living on Dallas streets or in shelters, up slightly from the 5,750 counted in 2010. The 2011 count included 1,106 children and 51 unaccompanied youth. Domestic abuse/family problems were listed as the reason for homelessness by 27% of the population. Without these emergency shelter services, these victims would be forced to return to their batterers or other unsafe housing and would be at great risk for further victimization.

And this says nothing about the women, children - even men - who suffer in silence.

Men can do something about the instances of domestic violence we cause. We hold one another accountable. We can report instances of domestic violence. We can stop.

All of Dallas should be proud of Mayor Mike Rawlings' effort to get 10,000 men to stand up against domestic violence at a rally on March 23rd at Dallas' City Hall. I'll be among those men who show their appreciation for his leadership and support this effort to bring an end to this terrible scourge.